Members in the Spotlight!!
James Wiley was recently elected as Vice President of Chapter 1218 for the year 2000. He has provided a brief bio for our perusal. (See "Featured Member of the Month" below.)

Project Reports
It has been some time since we last had a report of the projects that our Chapter members are building. As I read James Wiley's account of his aviation interests, I was struck by the fact that he is planning on building - even though he is an aircraft owner.

After the holidays wind down, your friendly newsletter editor will attempt a pictorial account of the projects that are underway. (By announcing this in advance, you builders will have opportunity to get the dust off the projects before they appear in front of the camera and everybody!)

My Project Progress
This past couple of weeks have been busy indeed. I sealed the left fuel tank for the RV-6 (nasty stuff!) and mounted it on the wing. It was rewarding to find no leaks, seeps, or weeps, and that the fuel sender worked, the vent tube worked as required, and it fit the wing well!! On top of that, our friendly Technical Advisor kept pushing me to get the little white bird ready for her Annual Inspection.

Greg Brightwell with "Cute Dude"

Careful observers will notice finished parts of an RV-6 just ahead of the nose of "Cute Dude." The person with the smile (hiding in the shade) is our own Greg "Lefty" Brightwell, now attending College of the Ozarks, majoring in Aviation Science. Greg will start ground and flight training next semester. Greg must be complimented. He was a really quick study in learning how to buck rivets. When he gets to the sheet metal section of training for his Airframe Certificate, he will have "a leg up" on his classmates.

He did such a good job of bucking rivets that I gave him permission to clean the proseal off all the clecoes that held the fuel tank together. The reason for the big smile in the photo is that he just finished cleaning proseal off of more than one hundred clecoes. I do not know if the smile is a result of the happiness that the job was complete, or from the vapors. Anyway, if you need clecoes cleaned, Greg is your man!

Young Eagles
It is regretted that I am unable to provide an update on the insurance requirements that we had requested early last month pertaining to Young Eagles and radio-controlled models, fly-outs, and flight training. E-mails and telephone calls have requested we be informed, in writing, just what is required. Hopefully we will receive a response before the turn of the century.

"I grew up way out in the country on a farm with little opportunity to be around airports or airplanes. My first plane ride came when I was eight years old, in a yellow Piper Cub off the old Baker airport at West Plains with Larry Williams at the controls. (I'm sure many remember Larry as Airport Manager of the West Plains Airport during the 70s and 80s.) I was hooked for life.

"When I got out of high school in the early 60s and left the farm on my first job, I started taking flying lessons, soloing when I was 19, off the old downtown West Plains Airport.

"Pat, my wife, and I were married in the late 60s and, like many others, my flying had to take a back seat to home and family for many years. During the 80s, I was able to return to aviation and, in 1991, I was able to buy a great old 1962 Piper PA 28-150 Cherokee. At present, N5307W is hangared at MNF (Mountain View, Missouri).

"I am a member of Missouri Pilots Association Chapter 20 and EAA Chapter 1218. I am nearing completion of Phase Nine of the Wings program. At present, I'm collecting materials and hope soon to start building a 'Legal Eagle' ultralight."

Thanks, James, for that look into your interest in aviation!

For our last meeting of the century, there will be a variety of things occurring. Beyond the drinks and munchies provided by the ladies, Mr. Bill Ghan has been asked to bring the plans of the Wright Flyer replica and explain what he believes will be involved in completing such an endeavor.

In case you were not present at the last couple of meetings, take a look at the following:

The handiwork was done by Mr. Ghan and Fred Kalhoefer. The holes, it is rumored, were drilled by Fred's wife. Does anyone know of a friendly museum that may wish to have a replica of the Flyer, or a huge storage area in which it may hang? If so, contact Bill.

Bill Ghan, Steve Maxwell, and Clint Allen look at the two outboard sections of the upper wing of the replica.

Beyond the presentation by Mr. Ghan, President Luna will provide a recap of our second year as a chapter and wish one and all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!! We should have ample opportunity to spend a few minutes longer over coffee and goodies and enjoy each other's company. Plan on being there, and bring a friend.

There are usually several things occurring at each meeting. While some pay rapt attention to the speaker(s), others wait in eager anticipation for the break with the coffee, punch and cookies, brownies, or cake that has been provided by members or their spouses.

The board strives to provide subjects or topics that will be of interest to the majority of the members. If you have a subject or interest that has not been addressed, mention it to Jerry, James, or Clint.

Ron Wade describes the properties of radio-controlled models

Again, if you were not present for the last meeting, Ron "Tiger" Wade brought a number of radio-controlled models and described the strengths and weaknesses of each. Thanks to our members who have hauled wing sections and models in and out of the classroom for our entertainment and education.

http://www.webshots.com is a good site to get space and nature screesavers and some military and aviation photos.

http://www.airshowpics.com will provide links to other sites, some rather nice.